Dax Shepard Faces Intense Criticism Over 'Creepy' Sabrina Carpenter Remarks
Podcast host and actor Dax Shepard has found himself embroiled in controversy following comments he made about singer Sabrina Carpenter during a recent episode of his popular Armchair Expert podcast. The 51-year-old, who is married to actress Kristen Bell, declared himself "newly obsessed" with the 26-year-old Espresso singer before making suggestions that have been widely condemned as inappropriate.
The Controversial Podcast Exchange
During the episode featuring Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez as a guest, Shepard revealed his admiration for Carpenter had developed through his daughter's interest in the singer. The conversation took an uncomfortable turn when Shepard directly suggested Hernandez should pursue a romantic relationship with Carpenter.
"If I'm you again and I'm 28, I'm going to try to date her with all my might. Are you not trying your hardest to marry her?" Shepard asked the 28-year-old comedian, seemingly ignoring Hernandez's existing relationship status.
Hernandez's Swift Rejection and Loyalty Declaration
Hernandez immediately shut down Shepard's suggestion, firmly asserting his commitment to his current girlfriend, architect Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral. "I'm in a relationship with a Dominican girl. She's an architect. She's unreal. She went to Yale," Hernandez told Shepard, making his relationship status unequivocally clear.
Despite politely acknowledging Carpenter's talents with "Sabrina's awesome," Hernandez maintained his professional boundaries and personal loyalty throughout the exchange, highlighting the inappropriate nature of Shepard's questioning.
Public Outrage and Social Media Backlash
Listeners and social media users have expressed significant discomfort with Shepard's comments, with many describing them as "creepy" and "weird." The substantial age difference between Shepard and Carpenter, combined with his marital status and Carpenter's own public relationships, has intensified the criticism.
Key criticisms from social media include:
- "Do you know how WEIRD you have to be to say things like this to real people, especially ones half your age and already in public relationships??"
- "Dax Shepard you will never beat the weirdo allegations"
- "Dax Shepard is being a creepy uncle again"
- "Society has moved beyond the need for Dax Shepard. Someone needs to unplug that weirdo's mic yesterday!"
Context of Hernandez and Carpenter's Professional Relationship
Marcello Hernandez and Sabrina Carpenter have developed a professional working relationship through multiple Saturday Night Live collaborations, most notably performing together in the viral Domingo sketch. Hernandez praised Carpenter's professionalism and comedic talents during the podcast, describing her as "really funny and cool" and "down to clown" during sketch preparations.
Despite internet speculation about a potential romance following their SNL collaboration, Hernandez has consistently demonstrated his commitment to his girlfriend, with the couple making public appearances together at events including a Happy Gilmore 2 premiere last July.
Pattern of Controversial Comments
This incident represents the latest in a series of controversial statements from Shepard that have attracted public criticism. Earlier this year, the father-of-two faced significant backlash after revealing he had offered to pay for his 11-year-old daughter Delta to freeze her eggs in the future, with many describing the suggestion as "weird" and "creepy."
Shepard explained on his podcast that when his daughter expressed excitement about future motherhood, he wanted to be supportive without appearing judgmental. "I said, 'If you want to, we'll freeze your eggs when you're 18. I'll pay for you to get your eggs frozen so you don't have to think about that,'" Shepard revealed, a comment that many found inappropriate given his daughter's age.
Broader Context of Bell and Shepard's Public Image
Shepard's latest controversy comes months after his wife Kristen Bell faced criticism from domestic violence advocates for a controversial anniversary post on Instagram. Bell shared a quote from Shepard saying he was "heavily incentivized to kill" her, which many survivors and advocacy groups condemned as "tone-deaf" and "insensitive," particularly given that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Shepard and Bell have been married since 2013 and share two daughters, Lincoln (12) and Delta (11). The couple has built a public image around their relationship transparency, but recent incidents have raised questions about the appropriateness of some of their shared content and Shepard's individual comments.
The podcast host's remarks about Sabrina Carpenter have sparked broader conversations about appropriate boundaries, age differences in celebrity culture, and the responsibilities of public figures when discussing younger artists and colleagues. As the backlash continues to grow online, many are questioning whether Shepard will address the criticism directly or modify his approach to discussing personal topics on his popular podcast.
